CARDIFF CITY star Tony Vidmar admits he and his colleagues are fighting to avoid the sack at Ninian Park.

Vidmar, recalled by boss Lennie Lawrence for the last two games in an unfamiliar midfield holding role, says futures are on the line amid City's desperate Championship relegation scrap.

Nobody needs to lecture Vidmar on toughness of mind.

Almost 13 years ago the 80-capped Australian defender quit Sydney in search of success - the start of a soccer adventure that has seen him clock up over 500,000 air miles with club stops at Ekeren in Belgium, NAC Breda in Holland, Rangers and Middlesbrough sandwiching international duty.

But it has been rarely been tougher for 34-year-old Vidmar. Alongside midfielder Willie Boland and fellow defender Gary Croft, his contract runs out this summer - and he knows no-one is safe from the chill financial wind that relegation brings.

"Stakes are very high at Cardiff. There is a lot riding on us staying in this section," said Adelaide-born Vidmar.

"Some contracts - including my own - are up at the end of this season, but all the players know they are playing for their lives.

"Individuals have to acknowledge the consequences of relegation."

Cardiff owner Sam Hammam, rumoured to be grappling with bank debts of #30m-plus and with a new #35m, 30,000 all-seater stadium planned for a #100m retail site at Leckwith, knows relegation is not an option.

But that grim scenario could come into sharper focus if City - one win in nine league outings - fail to pick up points at Derby County on NewYear's Day and at home to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest 48 hours later on Monday.

Tuesday's stalemate at free-falling Watford means only Gillingham's inferior goal difference keeps Cardiff out of the bottom three and Vidmar rapped, "We can't afford to keep only drawing matches.

"One point per game between now and May won't be enough for us to survive.

"We've got Derby and Forest coming up and a victory has to arrive for us to start a little run.

"I've heard it said that 50 points might be enough for us to stay in the Championship.

"But I don't think you can set points targets at this stage. It is now a case of tackling each 90 minutes as it comes."

City are seeking a first victory at Derby - who had been on a fine run before Tuesday's shock 3-0 home defeat to Millwall - in 21 years.

Vidmar said, "All the Cardiff players have to buckle down and help haul our club away from trouble.

"I think the team showed real grit at Watford. It wasn't pretty, but it's only results that count at this moment.

"Over 1,000 fans travelled up to Vicarage Road and their support will be a huge factor in us staying in the Championship.

"We need a quick dash to safety now. We mustn't leave it until the closing weeks of the campaign."

Vidmar, who won two Scottish Premier League titles and five cups during his spell as a Ranger at Ibrox Park, is adamant that senior City pros like skipper Graham Kavanagh, Danny Gabbidon and Peter Thorne have to carry the torch for survival.

"There is extra responsibility on the older heads such as myself now," he said.

"We have kids in the team. The pressure we're enduring is all new to them. We can't put the responsibility on the kids. I believe that myself and others have to show the path ahead.

"People ask me what it's like going into training every day with relegation hanging over your head. But there is no pressure in preparation - that all comes in the matches."

Added Vidmar, "After the success I had with Glasgow Rangers, the very real threat of relegation is a strange experience to me.

"But this is where you discover how much mental strength various individuals possess.

"All the City players have to dig deep. We owe it to the gaffer - Lennie Lawrence - to put things right.

"He (Lawrence) came for me twice - the first time when I left Rangers a couple of years ago.

"I knocked him back initially, but decided to join Cardiff because of his and the club's ambition. I've never forgotten this."